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<p>Recycling companies rely on Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) to provide
them with some of the materials which can then be used to make new products. Defra
officials have been working closely with local authorities and the waste sector to
keep HWRCs open. There is no reason in law why HWRCs cannot be open and where possible,
local authorities should seek to retain access to HWRC services for their residents
to dispose of waste. The Government is not setting a date by which HWRCs should be
open. We recognise that the opening of HWRCs will depend on local circumstances and
resource availability. A “one size fits all” approach is not appropriate. The decision
to open a HWRC remains with the relevant local authority. Our most recent guidance
can be found here: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-to-local-authorities-on-prioritising-waste-collections/managing-household-waste-and-recycling-centres-hwrcs-in-england-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-to-local-authorities-on-prioritising-waste-collections/managing-household-waste-and-recycling-centres-hwrcs-in-england-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-pandemic</a></p><p>
</p><p>Indications are that most local authorities have been able to maintain collection
services for packaging and food waste and continue to send materials to be recycled.
Material recovery facilities which receive, separate and prepare recyclable materials
for reprocessing and recycling companies, have been operating whilst maintaining social
distancing measures. The impacts of COVID-19 and related restrictions on these facilities
and the recycling sector are being closely monitored by Defra. In addition, the Charted
Institute for Waste Management (CIWM) has worked with Waste & Resources Action
Programme (WRAP), local authority bodies and commercial waste collectors to establish
the WasteSupport platform to assist local authorities to access additional capacity
in the commercial waste collection sector for processing waste.</p><p>For some materials
(including waste electrical equipment, furniture , and textiles) there are particular
challenges and Defra is in regular discussions with these sectors, including the reuse/repair
and reprocessing organisations, about these.</p><p>The Environment Agency has published
time-limited Regulatory Position Statements (RPSs) to allow some flexibility for local
authorities and other operators where, for reasons beyond their control, compliance
with certain regulatory requirements may not be possible due to COVID-19. These include
the ability to store more material at a permitted site than the permit usually allows.
Each COVID-19 RPS sets out when it can be applied and conditions that will need to
comply with, to ensure that the risks to the environment and human health are minimised.
More details can be found at the following link: <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/covid-19-regulatory-position-statements"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/covid-19-regulatory-position-statements</a>.</p><p>Defra
has published guidance on prioritisation of waste services and on management of HWRCs
during the current pandemic and continues to monitor the situation with local authorities
and industry bodies.</p>
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